A Few Question about D&D [Archive] - Wizards Community

A Few Question about D&D [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Epicurus
03-22-07, 10:26 PM I am sorry if this is the wrong place to post this but Wizards forums are -hell- to try and figure out. As far as I can see there is no forum for rules questions, seems odd for such a complicated game. Anyway, if anyone could help me out that would be great, we -just- started playing the game and have run into countless problems.

1. We thought we recalled a rule for coming into base contact with an enemy, then trying to get away, but not sure what it is and cannot find it in the rules.

2. If you are using a grid to represent characters, using 5ft squares and characters stand in the same square and effectively fight?

3. Some throws or whatever say "Will 1/2". What does the "1/2" mean? Does it mean that the person trying to save gets their roll cut in half? That would make it impossible in most cases to save ect...

4. Our understanding is that a Cleric can cast "any" existing spell of his level, from the PH, or the Compendium. Is this true? I personally found it hard to believe that a Cleric just "knows" everything and gets to pick which ones he brings on each adventure.

5. My Bard has a "+3 CHA bonus", does this mean I get to cast a level one spell even though I am not level two? What is the perpous of showing a bonus spell for a level that you could not cast if that is the case?

Ok, that should be all for now. I am sure more shall come up soon :D

Thanks in advance!

-Wes
j0lt
03-23-07, 02:54 AM These questions belong in the D&D forums section, but I'll try to answer your questions.

1. You MIGHT be talking about the Spring Attack feat, which requires Dodge and Mobility (and minimum Dex 13, I think). It allows you to move before AND after your attack, providing you don't move more than your base speed in the round.

2. No, each character gets their own 5 foot square. Characters can attack any adjacent square (assuming they're armed with a melee weapon)

3. Will 1/2 is talking about the Will Save progression in levels. The 1/2 refers to an increase every other level. Will 3/4 is a better progression. (Will is just the example in this case). Another example would be Full BAB (base attack bonus). Fighters get full BAB (+1 BAB every level), while Wizards only get 1/2 BAB.

4. Yes. They are given their spells from whatever deity they revere. The deity can grant ANY spell on the Cleric list. It's not that the Cleric actually knows all of them, but they have access to all of them.

5. No. Bards don't get access to 1st level bonus spells until they reach level 2. (the "0" in the spells per day list means you only get bonus spells for that spell level)

Hope that helps.
Fgarber
03-27-07, 07:36 PM I am sorry if this is the wrong place to post this but Wizards forums are -hell- to try and figure out. As far as I can see there is no forum for rules questions, seems odd for such a complicated game. Anyway, if anyone could help me out that would be great, we -just- started playing the game and have run into countless problems.

1. We thought we recalled a rule for coming into base contact with an enemy, then trying to get away, but not sure what it is and cannot find it in the rules.

Most times, if you move away from an enemy, you provoke an Attack of Opportunity. Is that the rule cluster you're looking for?

3. Some throws or whatever say "Will 1/2". What does the "1/2" mean? Does it mean that the person trying to save gets their roll cut in half? That would make it impossible in most cases to save ect...

It's hard to tell what it's looking for without context. For example, I would read a bit of text that says : "The trap does 2d6 points of fire damage ( Refex Save DC20 for 1/2)" to mean that a successful Reflex save halves the damage.

But in a description of a Prestige Class, say, Will 1/2 would refer to the progression of the Will Save for that class.

4. Our understanding is that a Cleric can cast "any" existing spell of his level, from the PH, or the Compendium. Is this true? I personally found it hard to believe that a Cleric just "knows" everything and gets to pick which ones he brings on each adventure.

Yes, the Cleric one morning, can pray "Dear All-Father, please give me the ability to resist fire today as I walk through the Valley of Flames." and the next day say "Dear All-Father, give me the ability to resist cold as I walk over the Mountain of Icy Death" and the third day say "Dear All-Father, let me resist Poisons as I walk through the Icky Forest today."

That said, there are a whole lot of rules that limit a Cleric's spell pool that depend upon how limited of a God he chooses to serve. (Ex: a priest of the Church of Banjo! doesn't cast necromantic spells, but the priests of the Church of Banthulhu! does!) (*)

Another downside is that if the Cleric runs around and doesn't behave in a manner befitting his religion, he might try to cast his spell, and nothing happens. (at the DM's discretion, although most DMs give a cleric a warning from the deity first)

There is also the rules for "swap for healing spells", which lets Cleric use up the 3rd level "Resist Cold" spell in return for a 3rd level Healing spell, making it easier for normal players to play a character who is much wiser about picking spells and predicting what he'll need (And lets a PC not have to slot in so many healing spells, and can pick more flexible spells that they might use, instead of just being a walking medkit)

5. My Bard has a "+3 CHA bonus", does this mean I get to cast a level one spell even though I am not level two? What is the perpous of showing a bonus spell for a level that you could not cast if that is the case?
Ok, that should be all for now. I am sure more shall come up soon :D

The purpose is that when you do get to cast level 1 spells, you automatically get a bonus one, better than the other Level 2 Bards (who don't have your bonus!) And when you are a level 16 Bard, that bonus still exists.

(*) Special thanks Rich Burlew for the Church of Banjo!
Escef
05-10-07, 09:59 AM I am sorry if this is the wrong place to post this but Wizards forums are -hell- to try and figure out. As far as I can see there is no forum for rules questions, seems odd for such a complicated game. Anyway, if anyone could help me out that would be great, we -just- started playing the game and have run into countless problems.

When you have a bunch of questions you can easily enough place it in "D&D General". Every D&D forum here is for questions. Just as they are all for answers.

1. We thought we recalled a rule for coming into base contact with an enemy, then trying to get away, but not sure what it is and cannot find it in the rules.

Perhaps you refer to the withdraw rule? As a full round action you may move up to twice your base movement, and the square you start in does not count as threatened. Otherwise, moving out of a square threatened by an enemy provokes an attack of opportunity (AoO).

2. If you are using a grid to represent characters, using 5ft squares and characters stand in the same square and effectively fight?

There are rules for squeezing into small spaces, try checking those. I believe it's in the "Adventuring" chapter of the PHB.

3. Some throws or whatever say "Will 1/2". What does the "1/2" mean? Does it mean that the person trying to save gets their roll cut in half? That would make it impossible in most cases to save ect...

It means on a successful save there is a partial effect. You usually see this on reflex saves against spells like Lightning Bolt or Fireball, but occasionally you see it on others. Read the spell in question's description for more details.

4. Our understanding is that a Cleric can cast "any" existing spell of his level, from the PH, or the Compendium. Is this true? I personally found it hard to believe that a Cleric just "knows" everything and gets to pick which ones he brings on each adventure.

Yes, subject to DM approval in the case of material from sources the DM hasn't approved of.

5. My Bard has a "+3 CHA bonus", does this mean I get to cast a level one spell even though I am not level two? What is the perpous of showing a bonus spell for a level that you could not cast if that is the case?

The +3 bonus means you get a +3 on all Cha based rolls and checks. As for the bonus spells, you get a bonus spell slot in any spell level that the ability score chart says you get it in. However, if the entry on the class's spells per day chart is a dash, "-", then you can't cast any spells of that level. Period. End of statement. However, if the entry in said chart is zero than bonus spells apply.

Ok, that should be all for now. I am sure more shall come up soon :D

Thanks in advance!

-Wes

Your welcome, Wes.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Epicurus 03-22-07, 10:26 PM	I am sorry if this is the wrong place to post this but Wizards forums are -hell- to try and figure out. As far as I can see there is no forum for rules questions, seems odd for such a complicated game. Anyway, if anyone could help me out that would be great, we -just- started playing the game and have run into countless problems. 1. We thought we recalled a rule for coming into base contact with an enemy, then trying to get away, but not sure what it is and cannot find it in the rules. 2. If you are using a grid to represent characters, using 5ft squares and characters stand in the same square and effectively fight? 3. Some throws or whatever say "Will 1/2". What does the "1/2" mean? Does it mean that the person trying to save gets their roll cut in half? That would make it impossible in most cases to save ect... 4. Our understanding is that a Cleric can cast "any" existing spell of his level, from the PH, or the Compendium. Is this true? I personally found it hard to believe that a Cleric just "knows" everything and gets to pick which ones he brings on each adventure. 5. My Bard has a "+3 CHA bonus", does this mean I get to cast a level one spell even though I am not level two? What is the perpous of showing a bonus spell for a level that you could not cast if that is the case? Ok, that should be all for now. I am sure more shall come up soon :D Thanks in advance! -Wes
j0lt 03-23-07, 02:54 AM	These questions belong in the D&D forums section, but I'll try to answer your questions. 1. You MIGHT be talking about the Spring Attack feat, which requires Dodge and Mobility (and minimum Dex 13, I think). It allows you to move before AND after your attack, providing you don't move more than your base speed in the round. 2. No, each character gets their own 5 foot square. Characters can attack any adjacent square (assuming they're armed with a melee weapon) 3. Will 1/2 is talking about the Will Save progression in levels. The 1/2 refers to an increase every other level. Will 3/4 is a better progression. (Will is just the example in this case). Another example would be Full BAB (base attack bonus). Fighters get full BAB (+1 BAB every level), while Wizards only get 1/2 BAB. 4. Yes. They are given their spells from whatever deity they revere. The deity can grant ANY spell on the Cleric list. It's not that the Cleric actually knows all of them, but they have access to all of them. 5. No. Bards don't get access to 1st level bonus spells until they reach level 2. (the "0" in the spells per day list means you only get bonus spells for that spell level) Hope that helps.
Fgarber 03-27-07, 07:36 PM	I am sorry if this is the wrong place to post this but Wizards forums are -hell- to try and figure out. As far as I can see there is no forum for rules questions, seems odd for such a complicated game. Anyway, if anyone could help me out that would be great, we -just- started playing the game and have run into countless problems. 1. We thought we recalled a rule for coming into base contact with an enemy, then trying to get away, but not sure what it is and cannot find it in the rules. Most times, if you move away from an enemy, you provoke an Attack of Opportunity. Is that the rule cluster you're looking for? 3. Some throws or whatever say "Will 1/2". What does the "1/2" mean? Does it mean that the person trying to save gets their roll cut in half? That would make it impossible in most cases to save ect... It's hard to tell what it's looking for without context. For example, I would read a bit of text that says : "The trap does 2d6 points of fire damage ( Refex Save DC20 for 1/2)" to mean that a successful Reflex save halves the damage. But in a description of a Prestige Class, say, Will 1/2 would refer to the progression of the Will Save for that class. 4. Our understanding is that a Cleric can cast "any" existing spell of his level, from the PH, or the Compendium. Is this true? I personally found it hard to believe that a Cleric just "knows" everything and gets to pick which ones he brings on each adventure. Yes, the Cleric one morning, can pray "Dear All-Father, please give me the ability to resist fire today as I walk through the Valley of Flames." and the next day say "Dear All-Father, give me the ability to resist cold as I walk over the Mountain of Icy Death" and the third day say "Dear All-Father, let me resist Poisons as I walk through the Icky Forest today." That said, there are a whole lot of rules that limit a Cleric's spell pool that depend upon how limited of a God he chooses to serve. (Ex: a priest of the Church of Banjo! doesn't cast necromantic spells, but the priests of the Church of Banthulhu! does!) () Another downside is that if the Cleric runs around and doesn't behave in a manner befitting his religion, he might try to cast his spell, and nothing happens. (at the DM's discretion, although most DMs give a cleric a warning from the deity first) There is also the rules for "swap for healing spells", which lets Cleric use up the 3rd level "Resist Cold" spell in return for a 3rd level Healing spell, making it easier for normal players to play a character who is much wiser about picking spells and predicting what he'll need (And lets a PC not have to slot in so many healing spells, and can pick more flexible spells that they might use, instead of just being a walking medkit) 5. My Bard has a "+3 CHA bonus", does this mean I get to cast a level one spell even though I am not level two? What is the perpous of showing a bonus spell for a level that you could not cast if that is the case? Ok, that should be all for now. I am sure more shall come up soon :D The purpose is that when you do get to cast level 1 spells, you automatically get a bonus one, better than the other Level 2 Bards (who don't have your bonus!) And when you are a level 16 Bard, that bonus still exists. () Special thanks Rich Burlew for the Church of Banjo!
Escef 05-10-07, 09:59 AM	I am sorry if this is the wrong place to post this but Wizards forums are -hell- to try and figure out. As far as I can see there is no forum for rules questions, seems odd for such a complicated game. Anyway, if anyone could help me out that would be great, we -just- started playing the game and have run into countless problems. When you have a bunch of questions you can easily enough place it in "D&D General". Every D&D forum here is for questions. Just as they are all for answers. 1. We thought we recalled a rule for coming into base contact with an enemy, then trying to get away, but not sure what it is and cannot find it in the rules. Perhaps you refer to the withdraw rule? As a full round action you may move up to twice your base movement, and the square you start in does not count as threatened. Otherwise, moving out of a square threatened by an enemy provokes an attack of opportunity (AoO). 2. If you are using a grid to represent characters, using 5ft squares and characters stand in the same square and effectively fight? There are rules for squeezing into small spaces, try checking those. I believe it's in the "Adventuring" chapter of the PHB. 3. Some throws or whatever say "Will 1/2". What does the "1/2" mean? Does it mean that the person trying to save gets their roll cut in half? That would make it impossible in most cases to save ect... It means on a successful save there is a partial effect. You usually see this on reflex saves against spells like Lightning Bolt or Fireball, but occasionally you see it on others. Read the spell in question's description for more details. 4. Our understanding is that a Cleric can cast "any" existing spell of his level, from the PH, or the Compendium. Is this true? I personally found it hard to believe that a Cleric just "knows" everything and gets to pick which ones he brings on each adventure. Yes, subject to DM approval in the case of material from sources the DM hasn't approved of. 5. My Bard has a "+3 CHA bonus", does this mean I get to cast a level one spell even though I am not level two? What is the perpous of showing a bonus spell for a level that you could not cast if that is the case? The +3 bonus means you get a +3 on all Cha based rolls and checks. As for the bonus spells, you get a bonus spell slot in any spell level that the ability score chart says you get it in. However, if the entry on the class's spells per day chart is a dash, "-", then you can't cast any spells of that level. Period. End of statement. However, if the entry in said chart is zero than bonus spells apply. Ok, that should be all for now. I am sure more shall come up soon :D Thanks in advance! -Wes Your welcome, Wes.